Teachers and coaches can really mess children up - too often the instructors appear to lack the most basic understanding of what motivates their students and enables learning to happen. I am fortunate that in my home aikidojo my sensei has in addition to great technical skills the ability to enthuse and empathise with children. Although I have a much greater experience of working with children (over 30 years instructing Judo), I have picked up a lot from being an assistant to him. The class of 6 to 14 year olds is very disciplined and attentive BUT we have a ratio of maximum four students to a teacher/assistant and also many parents stay during the class.